By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Distinguish between the formality levels of 'can', 'could', and 'may'
- Use 'can', 'could', and 'may' to ask for permission and make requests in a business context
- Recognize the correct sentence structure for questions and statements with these modal verbs
- Demonstrate how to grant and deny permission politely in professional situations
In business, it's very important to be polite. We use the modal verbs can, could, and may to ask for things and to ask for permission. The word you choose shows how formal or polite you are.
Form/Structure
The structure is simple and never changes:
- Question: Modal (Can/Could/May) + Subject + Base Verb ... ?
- Statement: Subject + Modal (Can/May) + Base Verb ...
Usage Rules & Formality
| Modal | Use | Formality | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can | Ask for/give permission, requests | Informal | "Can I use your phone?" (to a colleague) |
| Could | Make polite requests | Formal | "Could you help me with this report?" (to a manager) |
| May | Ask for/give formal permission | Very Formal | "May I leave the meeting early?" (to a director) |
Think about who you are talking to:
- Use Can with people you know well, like your team members
- Use Could with managers, clients, or new colleagues to be more polite
- Use May in very formal situations or when you want to show a lot of respect
Workplace Situations
- Meetings: "May I add a point here?" (Asking for permission to speak formally)
- Using Office Equipment: "Can I print a document?" (Asking a colleague for informal permission)
- Projects & Deadlines: "Could you please review these figures by tomorrow?" (Making a polite request to your team)
- Client Communication: "Could you send us the contract when you have a moment?" (A polite request to a client)
Daily Business Communication
- Email Communication: Writing "Could you confirm your attendance?" is more polite than "Confirm your attendance."
- Networking Events: "May I have your business card?" (A formal and respectful way to ask for contact details)
- Reporting to a Manager: "Could you explain the goal for Q4 again, please?" (A polite way to ask for information)
- Team Planning: "Can we schedule our team call for 10 AM?" (An informal request to your direct team)
✅ Correct Usage
- Can I borrow your charger? (An informal question to a colleague for permission)
- Could you send me the link to the folder? (A polite, standard request for help)
- May I suggest an alternative date for the presentation? (A very formal way to give an idea in a meeting with senior managers)
- Yes, you can use the conference room at 3 PM. (Giving informal permission)
- HR announced that employees may take Friday afternoon off. (Giving very formal permission in a company-wide message)
- Could I speak with you for a moment in private? (A polite request for a private conversation with a manager or colleague)
❌ Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: May you help me with this file?
Correct: Could you help me with this file?
(We use 'could you' or 'can you' to ask someone else to do something. We use 'May I' to ask for permission for ourselves.) - Incorrect: Can I to check the schedule?
Correct: Can I check the schedule?
(After a modal verb like 'can', 'could', or 'may', we always use the base form of the verb without 'to'.) - Incorrect: He can helps with the project.
Correct: He can help with the project.
(The verb after a modal does not change for he/she/it. It is always the base form.)
Team Video Call: Product Launch Planning
Duration: ~1:55 | Characters: Maria (Project Manager), David (Marketing), Sarah (IT Support)
Audio Script (Word Count: 285 words)
Maria: Hello everyone. Thanks for joining. Can we start? Great. The goal for today is to finalize the launch plan. David, could you share your screen and show us the marketing timeline?
David: Of course, Maria. One moment. Okay, can everyone see it?
Sarah: Yes, looks good.
Maria: Thank you, David. It looks like the social media campaign starts on the 5th. David, can you give us an update on the video content?
David: Yes. The video is almost ready. We are just adding the final graphics. Could you explain the new budget limit again? I want to be sure we don't go over.
Maria: Certainly. The new budget is $5,000. I will send the full details after the call. Sarah, from the IT side, is everything ready for the website update?
Sarah: Mostly, yes. Can I ask a quick question about the server capacity? I am worried about traffic on launch day.
Maria: A very good question, Sarah. Please, go ahead.
Sarah: May I suggest we run a stress test this Wednesday? It will show us if the server is ready for many visitors.
Maria: That's an excellent idea. Yes, you can definitely do that. Please organize it. And for your team's extra work on this, you may take a half-day off next week. Okay, one final thing. Could you all send me your final task lists by 5 PM today? I need to create the master document.
David & Sarah: Yes, of course. / No problem.
Maria: Perfect. Thank you, everyone. That's all for today.
Why does Sarah say, "May I suggest we run a stress test?"
What is the main purpose of this meeting?
Complete the sentence from the audio: "David, _______ give us an update on the marketing plan?"
You need to ask your manager for a day off next week. What is the most polite and appropriate way to ask?
Your colleague from another department asks, "May I join your team meeting to observe?" What is a correct positive reply?
Choose the grammatically correct sentence for a business email.
Instructions: Match the request or permission statement with the correct business situation.
1. Can I borrow your pen for a second?
2. May I have your attention, please?
3. Could I work from home tomorrow?
4. Could you please mute your microphone?
Instructions: Find the mistake in each sentence and type the correct sentence.
Incorrect: May you review this document for me?
Correct:
Incorrect: He can to speak three languages.
Correct:
Incorrect: Could I asks you a favor?
Correct:
Incorrect: You can calling me back later.
Correct:
Instructions: Complete the dialogue between Anna (new employee) and Tom (colleague) using can, could, or may.
Anna: Excuse me, Tom? (1) I ask you a quick question?
Tom: Of course, Anna. How (2) I help you?
Anna: I need to book a meeting room. (3) you show me how to do it on the company system?
Tom: Sure, it's easy. You (4) use the online portal here. Just log in and select a time.
Anna: Oh, great! Thank you so much.
Tom: No problem at all.
⚠️ Preparation for Class with Teacher
These speaking tasks are designed to help you prepare for practice with your teacher. No recording is required - focus on preparing your responses and practicing the structures.
Controlled Practice: Asking for Office Supplies (1 minute)
Instructions: Prepare to borrow common items from your colleague. Use the structure below to make requests.
Structure: "Excuse me, [Name]. Can I borrow your...?"
- ...stapler?
- ...pen?
- ...phone charger?
- ...notebook?
Prepare this topic for your next class. Practice using a friendly, informal tone appropriate for speaking with a colleague.
Guided Practice: Requesting Help from a Manager (1 minute)
Instructions: Imagine you have a problem with a difficult client. Prepare to ask your manager for advice and a short meeting.
Preparation Tips:
- Use a polite opener: "Excuse me, [Manager's Name]. Do you have a moment?"
- Use 'Could' for your request: "Could I speak with you about..." or "Could you give me some advice on..."
- Mention the topic: "...the ABC account."
Example: "Excuse me, Sarah. Do you have a moment? I'm having a small issue with the ABC account. Could I speak with you for five minutes when you are free?"
Prepare this topic for your next class. Focus on using a more formal and respectful tone.
Free Practice: Role-Play - Changing a Deadline (2 minutes)
Instructions: Prepare for a role-play where you need more time on a project and must negotiate a new deadline with your project manager.
Discussion Points & Preparation:
- Prepare to explain why you need more time (e.g., "The client sent new information," "There was a technical problem")
- Prepare to make a polite request to move the deadline ("Could we possibly extend the deadline to Friday?")
- Be ready to answer questions about the new timeline and your plan
Prepare this topic for your next class. Your teacher will play the role of the project manager and ask questions to encourage spontaneous, realistic conversation.
📚 Lesson Summary for Teachers
This lesson focuses on the appropriate use of modal verbs 'can', 'could', and 'may' for requesting permission and making polite requests in business contexts. Students learn to distinguish formality levels and apply these modals appropriately based on their relationship with the listener.
🎯 Key Challenges to Watch For
- Modal + infinitive errors: Students often add "to" after modals (e.g., "Can I to help?")
- Formality confusion: Using "may" in overly casual situations or "can" in formal contexts
- Subject-modal confusion: Mixing up "May I" vs "Could you" structures
- Third person singular: Adding "-s" to verbs after modals (e.g., "He can helps")
🗣️ Speaking Practice Guidance
Task 1 - Office Supplies (1 min):
- Encourage natural, friendly tone with colleagues
- Check for correct "Can I + base verb" structure
- Practice responses: "Of course!" / "Sorry, I'm using it."
Task 2 - Manager Request (1 min):
- Guide students to use more formal register with "Could"
- Help structure: opener + request + specific topic
- Practice polite follow-up questions
Task 3 - Deadline Negotiation (2 min):
- Play project manager role - ask "Why?" and "When?"
- Encourage explanations and alternative solutions
- Push for spontaneous use of target language
💡 Practical Teaching Tips
- Audio Practice: Play the listening exercise multiple times, focusing on intonation patterns
- Error Correction: Use immediate correction for structural errors, delayed correction for fluency tasks
- Role Reversal: Have students practice both requesting and granting permission
- Real Scenarios: Adapt exercises to students' actual workplace situations
- Cultural Notes: Discuss cultural differences in directness vs. politeness expectations
Key Takeaways
- Use can for informal requests and permission, usually with colleagues you know well
- Use could for polite requests, especially with managers, new colleagues, or clients
- Use may for very formal permission in official situations
- Always use the base form of the verb after can, could, or may (e.g., go, not to go or goes)
Professional Study Tips
- Listen and Copy: In online meetings, listen to how senior managers or native speakers make requests. Note the words they use (could, please, possibly) and try to use them yourself.
- Email Polish: Before you send an email with a request, re-read it. Ask yourself: "Is this polite enough?" Changing "I need the report" to "Could you send me the report when you have a chance?" makes a big difference.
- Practice Responding: It's also important to know how to respond. Practice saying "Of course," "Certainly," "No problem," or "I'd be happy to" when someone asks you for something.